Gardener fighting for his life after 40ft tall pine tree fell on him at Southampton golf course

Paramedics and firefighters were called to Dibden Golf Centre in Southampton at 12.07pm over injuries

By Sam Webb

3rd August 2017, 9:53 pm

Updated: 4th August 2017, 8:28 am

A GARDENER was fighting for his life tonight after a tree fell on him as he sat on a ride-on lawnmover at the golf course where he works.

The man, who is in his 40s, was airlifted to hospital after the tree crashed down onto the fairway, pinning him down and causing severe injuries.

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The gardener was on a ride-on mower when the tree fell

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The groundsman, who is in his 40s, was airlifted to hospital

Firefighters managed to free him but he suffered severe injuries in the freak accident - which was believed to be caused by a strong gust of wind.

Paramedics and firefighters were called to Dibden Golf Centre in Southampton at 12.07pm and My Time Active, the firm which contracted workers at the golf course, confirmed one of their members of staff had been injured.

A spokesman for the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "We were called at 12.10pm and there was one casualty, a man trapped on a ride-on lawnmower under a fallen tree.

"We sent three crews to the scene and later handed over to South Central Ambulance Service."

A spokesman for South Central Ambulance Service said: "At lunchtime one of our ambulance crews, our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Critical Care Car and Air Ambulance all went to Dibden Golf Centre after a large tree fell on a male in his 40s, leaving him with potentially life-threatening injuries.

"Excellent joint working between all the emergency services at the scene ensured he was recovered from underneath the tree, treated extensively at the scene before being transferred by road to the major trauma centre at University Hospital Southampton."

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The golf course has been closed until further notice

Solent News

It is believed a freak gust of wind tore the tree from the ground

The golf course has been closed until further notice as a result of the incident.

A spokesman for Dibden Golf Centre said: "Today, one of our employees was involved in an accident whilst performing his duties.

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